The Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that supports
innovation and excellence in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District.
2022 Seed Innovation Grants
We are pleased to announce the recipients of this year's innovation seed grants. Thanks to the generosity of our community partners HHSDR Architects & Engineers, UPMC, and GBU Financial Life, the foundation will be able to fund four grants (instead of the originally planned three) for a total value of nearly $5,000.

Project 1: Learning Through Science
  • Grant recipient: Virginia Pfatteicher
  • Summary: Baldwin High School will host two events for Baldwin High School preschool students and their families that introduces this young population to STEM activities and experimentation. High school students will create “kits” for the children to use at two public events, which can then be shared onward with kindergarten and first grade learners.
  • Schools: Baldwin High School and Baldwin High School Preschool

Project 2: Sixth Grade Project Based Extensions
  • Grant recipients: Allison Shreve, Amber Snyder, Denise Wells
  • Summary: The sixth grade English Language Arts teachers will create a collection of project-based learning activities designed for students with disabilities and/or learning challenges that give this student population a chance to explore, construct, and solve issues that coincide with curriculum based novels. Students will work individually and in groups on projects that foster critical thinking skills, deeper engagement, and creativity according to Pennsylvania ELA standards.
  • School: J.E. Harrison Education Center

Project 3: School Store
  • Grant recipient: Kristy Frohliger
  • Summary: Students will manage a mobile school store plenished with supplies like pencils, erasers, bookmarks, etc., proceeds from which will support the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support program. Store managers will learn entrepreneurial skills like inventory and cash management, cost analysis, marketing and signage, customer service and problem solving, among many other skills.
  • School: Whitehall Elementary School

Project 4: Voices of the Future
  • Grant recipient: Erinn Laughlin
  • Summary: The district will create a video series entitled "Voices of the Future" as a forum for students to express their opinions on socially and culturally relevant topics. This effort is meant to empower student expression and sends a signal that their opinions and interpretations are important because even though they are students now, they are the voices of the future.
  • Schools: Baldwin Middle School and Baldwin High School

Thank you to all faculty and staff who submitted proposals for consideration and congratulations to all recipients. We are excited to see these projects come to life!
Introducing College in High School Financial Aid
Starting in fall 2022, BWEF will dedicate a minimum of $2,000 per school year to assist qualifying Baldwin High School students with fees associated with College in High School [CHS] course enrollment. CHS courses offer students an opportunity to earn college credits based on the successful completion of the courses at a reduced cost.

For more information such as eligibility requirements, visit our College in High School page.

Book Vending Machine Arrives at Whitehall Elementary School

Whitehall Elementary School welcomed Inchy the Book Vending Machine to its halls last spring.  The machine was introduced during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 20, 2022, and welcomed by a group of students eager to put the machine to the test. 

"I was really excited and proud to be the first one to pick out a book," said Summer W., a second-grade student at Whitehall. Summer holds the distinction of being the first-ever student to earn a book from the vending machine. 

BWEF partnered with Donors Choose and Dollar General Literacy Fund to co-sponsor the machine's purchase. You can read more about the book vending machine on our Headlines blog.
Students at Whitehall Elementary School enjoy a "Friday Spin." One lucky winner gets a gold coin redeemable for a new book.

Video provided by Kristy Frohliger, STEAM/Media Specialist

Pathways to Support BWEF

There are a variety of ways to support the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation. Whether you want to become a community partner, establish an endowment fund, attend/host a fundraiser, or join the foundation as a member, we are always looking for ways to expand our network and our impact.
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